Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are generally very safe. However, anaphylaxis and other serious injuries have been known to occur following their administration.

Contact a Hepatitis Vaccine Injury Lawyer Today

You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other injury-related expenses if you or someone you love suffered complications that may be associated with the hepatitis A or hepatitis B vaccine. To arrange for a free, no -obligation legal review of your potential hepatitis vaccine lawsuit, please contact the nationwide law firm of Bernstein Liebhard LLP at (888) 994-5118.

The Hepatitis A Vaccine

The hepatitis A vaccine is a childhood vaccine intended to prevent a viral disease that causes flu-like symptoms, as well as liver inflammation. The virus that causes hepatitis A can be present in fecal matter. Infection usually occurs when a person has ingested contaminated food or water.

Children are usually vaccinated for hepatitis A between their 1st and 2nd birthdays. For complete immunity, two shots should be administered at least 6 months apart.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two hepatitis A vaccines:

Havrix

VAQTA

A third FDA-approved vaccine, Twinrix, immunizes against both hepatitis A and B.

Side effects commonly associated with the hepatitis A vaccine include:

Soreness at the injection site

Headache

Loss of appetite

Tiredness

Allergic reaction, which may be life-threatening or deadly

Anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock

The Hepatitis B Vaccine

The hepatitis B virus also causes serious inflammation of the liver. The virus is transmitted via blood and bodily fluids.

More than half of those with hepatitis B exhibit no symptoms. However, they can still transmit the disease to others.

The hepatitis B vaccine consists of 3 or 4 injections administered over a 6-month period. Babies receive their first hepatitis B shot at birth, before leaving the hospital.

The FDA has approved several vaccines for hepatitis B:

Recombivax HB and Energix B

Comvax

Pediarix

Twinrix (for both hepatitis A and B)

Roughly 35% of those who receive a hepatitis B vaccine will experience an adverse reaction. These reactions include, but are not limited to:

Pain, redness, or tenderness at the injection site.

Low grade fever

Anaphylaxis

National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) provides compensation to those who have been hurt by hepatitis vaccines and other covered vaccines.

As of June 2012, the program had reviewed 48 hepatitis A vaccine lawsuits, including 2 death claims. Of those, 12 resulted in compensation.

The NIVCP had also reviewed 627 hepatitis B vaccine lawsuits as of June 2012, including 50 for death. So far, 210 claimants have been awarded compensation.

Under the NVICP’s guidelines, a vaccine injury is presumed to be covered if:

If an injury does not appear in the Vaccine Injury Table or does not meet the Table requirements, claimants must present expert witness testimony, medical records, medical opinions, or other evidence proving that the vaccine caused the injury and/or condition.

Free Hepatitis Vaccine Lawsuit Reviews

Our attorneys are offering free legal reviews to individuals who may have been injured by the hepatitis A or B vaccine. To contact our office, please call (888) 994-5118.